SFN STEERING MINUTES

Present:

Frankie Poplau*, New Prague Schools

Jeff Theis, CSEC

Jennifer Deschaine, Human Services

Jerry Hennen, Commissioner

Jon McBroom*, Shakopee Schools

Judi Brumfield*, Human Services

Judi Moonen*, CAP Agency

Kelly Smith*, Belle Plaine Schools

Larry Kauzlarich*, Jordan Schools

Nancy Dickinson*, Human Services

Sharon Diedrich, CAC, Advisor

Terry Raddatz, Mental Health Center

Therese McCoy*, Court Services

Tom Lisec*, Burns/Sav/Eagan Schools

Tom Westerhaus*, Prior Lake/Savage Schls

Wanda Houska, SFN Executive Assistant

Absent:

Bill Jaffa*, Scott County HRA

Jim Hinck*, CSEC

Ken Jaus, Scott County Resource Council

Lezlie Prettyman Olson*, MRVSEC

Susan McNellis, County Attorney

Tim Walsh*, Human Services

* denotes voting member

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Motion by Nancy, seconded by Judi B., to approve the June 2004 Steering Committee meeting minutes* as distributed. Motion carried.

Approval of Budget Resolution

Motion by Therese, seconded by Judi B., to approved the April-June 2004 Budget Resolution* as distributed. Motion carried.

Advisor Update

A training primarily for new staff that will be doing resource coordination as part of their job is set for September 23 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Superintendents, Principals and other supervisory staff are invited to attend the morning portion of the training. Scott Family Net history, collaborative background, and an overview of the SFN philosophy and mission will be discussed at this time. The afternoon portion of the training will include the ‘nuts and bolts’ of doing a wraparound plan in the work setting. A special section will be dedicated specifically to school staff. A room has been booked at the Scott County Training Center, but an alternate site is being sought. It was suggested that Advisor check with the Shakopee Police Department for possible meeting space. Jeff also offered to provide space at the Workforce Center.

Darren Kermes is the new Advisor representative from New Prague. A new representative is needed from CAP as Tami Nelson Hagen has left.

The Informal Resources Workgroup has been looking at various models to match family needs with supports that are available within the community. A ListServ structure was proposed and accepted by the Advisor Team. The system will allow partner staff to send a group email to other ListServ members and request items/services needed by a family. The system will also work in reverse and items that have become available through a partner can be ‘advertised’ to other members. Membership is optional and is tracked by the ListServ manager (currently Wanda). The three-step plan is to start with getting appropriate staff on board, and then expand to engaging churches and other civic organizations. In the future the Advisors plan to find community ‘sponsors’ to help with the most common needs, and possibly encourage the membership of select businesses. The group has been working closely with the Scott County Volunteer Coordinator so that efforts and ideas are being enhanced rather than duplicated.

Plans are being made for an annual Collaborative Intake meeting this fall. This is primarily a networking opportunity for staff from each of the partners to discuss processes and look for ways to minimize barriers for families needing services.

Grant Update

A 3-year, $600,000 mentoring grant* has been submitted by Prior Lake-Savage Schools to enhance their SFN-funded programming at Grainwood Elementary. The Grant Criteria Checklist* pertaining to this grant was distributed. Award notices will be given out in late September.

Wanda attended a Basic Foundation Grant Writing training in August. The limitation of SFN not being a 501(c)3 organization needs to be worked through. Most grant applications will need to be submitted by one of the partners, and be based on their background, structure and financial accountability.

A Project/Program Idea* form was distributed as a tool for partners to communicate needs and service gaps giving Wanda more specific direction when looking for funding. Please share the form with appropriate staff.

Wanda will be attending the Annual Collaborative Conference on October 13-14. Half of the conference will be dedicated to collaborative funding.

Federal MA-LCTS Funding

The Feds have relooked at the way MN calculates its MA percentage. This percentage is part of the formula used quarterly to determine the MA portion of LCTS funding the collaborative generates. The Department of Human Services has estimated that the revised method will result in a 23% decrease statewide in federal LCTS revenue. Scott County could be hit worse than other counties due to its low MA population. Effects of the changes won’t be seen for approximately a year. Judi B. suggested we maintain a conservative budget to cushion anticipated funding reductions.

2004-2005 Budget

Partners that previously requested funding specifically for program expansion were given the opportunity to give details of their proposals.

Prior Lake – would like other schools in the district to have programming similar to what is available at Grainwood Elementary.

Shakopee – has had to cut services to immigrant children/families such as the Welcome Center, ELL programs and extended day Kindergarten for non-English students. They would like to reinstate some of these programs.

CSEC – is requesting funding for a probation officer through Court Service to work at the new alternative learning site for children not able to stay in other educational settings within the county. This program will be located at the JAF and will serve approximately 15 students with extensive behavior issues.

Burnsville – would like to expand the hours of CAC’s Family Support Workers currently serving three Scott County elementary schools, to also serve the Junior High School.

CAP – is requesting to increase the amount of case management time from .75 FTE to 1.0 FTE.

Motion by Jon to approve two programs, being CSEC and CAP, for a one-time program expansion, being that these programs serve children countywide. Seconded by Frankie. Discussion: Tom W. agreed that this option would benefit all partners with the least amount of expansion dollars. Frankie stated that program sustainability will definitely be an issue all partners need to consider for the next budget cycle. There will be an increased need for the collaborative to prioritize funding allocations. Larry questioned whether or not we should spend down another $20,000 since we would still be maintaining a $100,000 balance. Judi B. reminded representatives that a small portion of our third quarter earnings will be delayed by one year due to the late submission of a quarterly report from one of the schools. Motion carried. Other comments: Judi B. stated that the feds have started auditing LCTS accounts, particularly the make up of the participant list. Ramsey County has had to pay back funds due to having inappropriate staff listed. Judi M. thanked Steering representatives for their support of expansion dollars.

04-05 Steering Meetings

The meeting schedule for 04 –05 will remain the same; the second Monday of the month from 8:15-10:00 am in room GC 221 of the Scott County Government Center.

New Prague Schools will present on the development of their informal resource network at the December meeting. Other partners are welcome to share program updates and should contact Wanda to be included on a future meeting agenda.

Jon requested that the Steering Committee become more attune to how LCTS revenues are generated, who is generating them and what we can do to maximize this funding source. Wanda will put together some materials to be reviewed in October.

Closing/Sharing

Tom W. – SCALE is an organization made up of representatives from schools, cities and community and is working on a legislative push for state money to address local needs. The collaborative is supportive of these efforts and Frankie will work with Tom to draft some language that could be used in presentation materials. There is a common message coming from the Healthy Communities group.

Prior Lake Savage School District student population is expected to increase from 6,100 to 9,000 by 2014.

Larry – Jordan District has not experienced enough growth to offset the increase in costs.

Nancy – Scott Family Net information was taken off the website and has been sent to SCALE.

Jerry – The question was raised as to whether or not local parochial schools should be more involved in the collaborative. It was determined that the majority of parochial students with exceptional needs are being referred to and served by the public school system.

Kelly – The Belle Plaine District is voting on a building referendum tomorrow (Sept 14).

Frankie – The New Prague District is experiencing tremendous growth with the student population expected to double in 8 years. A three-question referendum is being put to the voters on December 14. Question one is for the construction of two elementary schools; question two is for an additional elementary school; and question three is for an indoor pool.

Jon – The school year got off to a great start. Enrollment is up 300 students.

Jeff – Classes at CSEC also got off to a wonderful start this year.

Jennifer – Public Health has been brainstorming as to how to make their current case plans meet the criteria of wraparound. Terry R. and Linda S. are working on this.

Terry – The Mental Health Center has been working with Head Start on classroom observations.

Judi M. – Tami Nelson Hagen has left the CAP Agency. The annual Give Where You Live campaign has begun and will host ‘A Vine Affair’ wine tasting event at Canterbury Park on November 18. The school supply distribution was coupled with the cost distribution this year. 300 families, 690 people, were served. Judi handed out information on the CHORE program* that is working to connect volunteers with seniors needing some assistance in order to stay in their home. Anne Harnack at CAP is the program contact.

Tom L.– The Burnsville School District is largely developed and is now looking at declining enrollment.

A fee-based all day Kindergarten program has been implemented and will be followed to track the impact on students as they progress through upper grades.

Dakota County is looking to merge their Family Services and Children’s Mental Health collaboratives.

Sharon – One of the set backs of the fee-based Kindergarten is that it is often those that could benefit the most from it are the ones that have difficulty paying for it.

Judi B. – For the second year in a row, Scott County is one of only two counties in the state that will be taking a reduction in state aid.

*Contact Wanda to receive a copy of these documents